Nurses cited for excellence

Avera St. Luke's personnel honored for roles in helping to improve care

Avera St. Luke's personnel honored for roles in helping to improve care

June 11, 2007|From staff reports

Two nurses from Avera St. Luke's have been honored with Avera Nursing Excellence awards. Carla Van Dyke, who works in home health, hospice and palliative care, was honored with the “Avera Clinical Quality Initiatives Award.” Val Christians, from the medical care division, received the “Avera Nursing Innovation Award.” Van Dyke's award goes to a nurse who is dedicated to the continued development of quality projects, publication and research related to academic pursuits, and who demonstrates evidence-based practices in professional practice. Van Dyke was instrumental in creating a palliative care program in the Aberdeen community. She also assisted in a project to enhance hospice services in long-term care. Under her leadership, the number of nursing home residents admitted to hospice increased to 39 percent of total hospice admissions. Christians' award is presented to a nurse who demonstrates the use of critical thinking skills to develop solutions to nursing dilemmas. Her creative actions led to an improved professional practice environment and better patient services. “She never seems to lack enthusiasm or energy when it comes to incorporating a change to enhance patient outcomes, and consistently monitors progress. She has a way of making everyone feel important and asks for their input,” Christians' nomination said. “She combines critical thinking skills with creative talent to blaze new trails aimed at improving patient care, the work environment and the health of the community.” The quality and compassion displayed by health care professionals are important parts of their jobs. Other Avera St. Luke's nominees for excellence awards at the Avera Nursing Conference, which was April 11 in Sioux Falls, are as follows: